Massive boost for Kilkenny as 400 new high-end jobs announced

Kilkenny received a massive employment boost this morning with the news that up to 400 new high-end jobs will be created in the city.

Locally based financial services company State Street has announced its new cybersecurity and technology unit will create hundreds of new jobs locally.

The company said it will establish a new specialist 400-strong team in Ireland to provide technology infrastructure and cyber security to support group operations globally.

The new unit will be located at IDA Ireland Business and Technology Park in Kilkenny where State Street already employs approximately 600 staff.

Kilkenny TD John McGuinness this morning described the development as “fantastic news” for Kilkenny, saying it is “one of the largest job announcements in recent history”.

Deputy McGuinness said: “It will be a huge boost to our local economy.”
“State Street are now in the process of developing a new state of the art office complex at their current location, representing a huge investment in Kilkenny,” he said.

Reflecting new ways of working post pandemic, and of staff preferences for flexibility and remote working, the new office could see office occupancy levels of up to 200% while drawing on a potentially broader staff pool along the east coast and midlands.

The Mayor of Kilkenny, Andrew McGuinness (pictured below), said: “This is a great day for Kilkenny with such a huge investment and job creation announcement that will benefit everyone. As Mayor, I want to thank State Street for making such a substantial investment into Kilkenny and wish them every success.”

The new unit will employ up to 400 high value, experienced and graduate level roles across: programming, Security Operations Analysts, Security Instrumentation Engineers, Data Scientists, Security Architects (Network, Identify Access Management and BlockChain), Security Forensics/Investigations and Governance, Risk and Compliance experts.  The new roles will be filled on a phased basis over the next 12 months.

State Street’s head of Ireland Tadhg Young said: “We are very pleased that Ireland and Kilkenny will benefit from this very substantial investment and the addition of high value, sustainable jobs. Today’s jobs announcement, alongside plans for our new state-of-the-art office development in Kilkenny, marks a further strengthening of our presence and commitment to the region for years to come.

“Ireland’s tech ecosystem and financial services nous have always been attractive selling points, which alongside Kilkenny’s central location enabling it to draw on talent from third level institutions in Dublin, Carlow, Waterford and beyond were all compelling factors in our location decision. I wish to thank the IDA for their continuing support of State Street, and I strongly encourage anyone seeking a new career opportunity in a great location and with great prospects for professional development to check out or new roles.”

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise Leo Varadkar added: “This is a fantastic boost for Kilkenny. State Street, which already employs 600 in its Loughboy office and 2,000 across the country has chosen to locate a new cybersecurity and technology unit in the county, creating 400 new jobs over the next 12 months.

“Ireland’s highly skilled and experienced workforce continues to attract the very best investment across the country. This announcement is further evidence of the phenomenal work the IDA is doing to attract and retain FDI in Ireland – the new unit will be based in the IDA’s Kilkenny Business Park. I wish all involved every success.”

State Street currently employs more than 2,000 staff in Ireland across Dublin, Drogheda, Naas and Kilkenny and approximately 39,000 employees globally. The firm provides custody and/or administration services for assets exceeding $42 trillion and has approximately $3.9 trillion in assets under management.

IDA Ireland CEO Martin Shanahan said: “This significant announcement by State Street demonstrates not only the company’s continued commitment to Ireland but also the attractiveness of the South East Region’s value proposition. The new cybersecurity and tech roles announced for State Street’s new facility in Kilkenny will help shape the future of our economy and will support the company’s global operations.  I wish State Street every success with this expansion.”